TOWER- The Tower-Soudan Historical Society has scheduled a fun presentation showcasing the story of the Arrowhead Garage and the Peyla Family, a part of Tower’s history on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. at the Herbert R. Lamppa Civic Center in Tower (next to the train). Presented by Dick Peyla, a native of Tower and a retired Chevron research engineer, this event will take you on a journey through time, spanning generations of the Peyla family’s legacy.
This program is open to the public, and tickets are priced at $5. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards supporting TSHS programming.
The History Talk on Main Street event will delve into the history of the Peyla family, tracing back to the immigration of Dick Peyla’s great-great-grandfather to the United States in 1882. Settling in Vermilion Lake Township, the family’s story unfolds through a collection of old newspaper clippings, 35mm slides, and vintage photo albums. From their early homestead days in the township, to the establishment of the Anderson Garage and transportation business in the early 1900s, to the “Y” Store and the town of “Peyla”, Dick will shed light on the community’s growth and development.
The presentation will be a nostalgic reminder of bygone eras.
The Arrowhead Garage holds a special place in the hearts of many locals, and its history is deeply intertwined with the Peyla family’s legacy. Attendees will hear about the working life and history of the Arrowhead Garage and a few stories about some of Sonny Peyla’s (Dick’s father) unique vehicles, including the 1922 Dodge, the weasel, the floating cars, and early snow sleds.
“We are excited to share this interesting family story with the Tower community and beyond,” said Dick Peyla. “The Peyla family has been a part of Tower’s heritage, and I am looking forward to bringing these stories to light, connecting the past with the present.” Dick grew up in Tower and on the lake, the son of James and Emily Peyla, graduating from Tower-Soudan High School in 1966.  After obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Minnesota, he moved to the San Francisco Bay area. As an active member of the TSHS board of directors, Dick and his wife Peggy spend every summer at their lake home on Echo Point, and he continues to contribute to the community’s history education initiatives.